Amad Diallo could find an important foundation for his role under Ruben Amorim in what one of Roy Keane’s former Manchester United teammates did at Old Trafford.
The 23-year-old Ivorian winger has become a fan favourite since his emergence at the club and Amad Diallo remains a key Manchester United first-team player.
Ruben Amorim is a big fan of Amad and the United star is a lively attacking threat for the Red Devils, with the Ivory Coast international finally coming into his own.
However, Amad has seen a position change in Ruben Amorim’s tactical system and the Red Devils winger has found himself playing as a right-sided wing-back.
United manager Amorim has been forced to move the Ivory Coast winger to a wing-back role to accommodate the arrival of summer signing Bryan Mbeumo.
Amad Diallo could find a lot of value in studying Roy Keane’s former Man Utd teammate Paul Parker
Amad Diallo has impressed at times in the wing-back position and has found a brilliant level of chemistry with Bryan Mbeumo on the right side of the pitch.
While the former Atalanta man has excelled with his attacking attributes, Amad has been exposed with his defensive playing style under manager Ruben Amorim.
Amad struggled with the defending aspect in United’s recent 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest, despite scoring a crucial equaliser for the Red Devils.
Roy Keane played alongside Paul Parker at Old Trafford in the 1990s and the United legend’s underrated former teammate talked up the tenacity of Amad on the pitch.
“And you see him [Amad] want to run back and defend,” Paul Parker told Manchester United’s official website.
“Size doesn’t bother him, so I can relate to that.
“He’s not scared of anybody. He’ll compete with anybody. All you’ve got to do in football is compete.
“When, even me, every time I see him get the ball in the final third, I get out [of] my seat watching him.”
Roy Keane’s praise for Paul Parker shows why Amad Diallo could study the former Man Utd defender further
Paul Parker enjoyed success under Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford and he lifted two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and a League Cup with United during his spell.
The 61-year-old former United right-back’s spell was disrupted due to his fitness and injuries, coupled with the emergence of Red Devils legend Gary Neville at the club.
Keane could see both the pros and cons of Parker’s playing style, but the legendary former United captain rated him above anything else for his defensive qualities.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football in 2022, he said: “Parks was a brilliant defender, even as a centre-half, probably wouldn’t have been great in terms of possession when we talk about the modern full-backs […].”
Amad already has his own attacking flair, but adopting the underappreciated defensive qualities of a talent like Parker could turn him into the complete package.
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